Ware selectmen John Desmond and Melissa Weise have terms up for election on April 11

WARE –Nomination papers are now available for candidates planning to run for office in the April 11 town election.

Selectmen John A. Desmond and Melissa D. Weise are among the incumbent officer holders whose terms are up for re-election this year.

Desmond said he has not decided whether to seek re-election but he said he is leaning toward running for another term.

“Several people have been encouraging me to run,” Desmond said Tuesday.

Weise could not be reached for a comment on her plans.

Candidates planning to run in the April 11 election must submit their nomination papers by Feb. 22.

Town Clerk Nancy J. Talbot said each candidate must have 32 valid signatures to qualify for the ballot, but she advises candidates to collect about 10 more than the requirement.

Talbot said she can answer questions about the election and will be available during office hours at Town Hall, Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. or by telephone at (413) 967-9648, extension 103.

In addition to the contests for the two seats on the Board of Selectmen, there will be elections for town moderator, Planning Board, cemetery commissioner and member of the Ware Housing Authority.

There will also be elections for Board of Health, School Committee, Park Commission and the Board of Assessors.

All terms are for three years.

In addition to Desmond and Weise, the incumbents whose terms are up in this election year include Moderator Kathleen H. Coulombe, Cemetery Commissioner John L Dowell, Board of Health member Joseph J. Ciejka, Board of Assessors member Donald Dunbar, Park Commissioner William R. Imbier, Planning Board member Richard A. Starodoj, School Committee member Aaron R. Sawabi and Housing Authority member John E. McQuaid.